Unit 13: Presentation Aids: Design and Usage
Decisions and opportunities associated with the design and use of presentation aids are innumerable, making it difficult to decide where to begin, but not if you approach such aids systematically. Many students err in this area when they develop the entire contents of their speeches first and then go back and attempt to fit some aids into the presentation – or even more commonly, simply used such aids to summarize content. Developing aids in such an isolated way almost always results in materials which do not strengthen a presentation, and sometimes even weaken it considerably. Systematically approaching the development of presentation aids means you select identify what you will require "as you go". For example, you have been advised in this course to develop the body section of your speech first. That section is controlled by main points and fleshed out by supporting details and evidence. As you identify the contents for each of these elements, you should ask yourself whether they would be enhanced – made more powerful, clearer, more memorable, or just more understandable – if aided. In other words, you should have a reason for including every presentation aid you use.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 8 hours.
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- identify two ways in which presentation aids can increase the audience's understanding of a message;
- choose the most appropriate type of presentation aid to support the main points in a sample speech;
- compare the advantages and disadvantages of different presentation aid media;
- critique the organization, simplicity, and visual and/or verbal clarity of presentation aids in a speech; and
- identify the specific design and content elements that produce cohesion in a set of presentation aids.
13.1: Presentation Aids: Design and Usage
Read the introduction to chapter 15 and Section 15.1. Why are presentation aids useful? Should you create them for every speech? Complete the exercises at the end of the section.
Read chapter 13 for some tips for creating effective visual aids. Visual aids are only effective if they complement your message. If your presentation aids overwhelm your message, your audience will be distracted. Consider the positive and negative outcomes of using these materials in a speech.
Pay attention to the advantages and disadvantages of each type of presentation aids: charts, graphs, representations, objects, models, and people. Choosing the aid that best complements your speech will help your audience retain your message. Complete the exercises at the end of the section.
This video gives examples of the types of presentation aids, their advantages, and their disadvantages.
13.2: Selecting Presentation Aids
Pay attention to Table 15.1, which includes several free online presentation software. Several of these are comparable to PowerPoint. Complete the exercises at the end of the section.
13.3: Traits of Well-Designed Presentation Aids
This section gives advice on designing your aids to be accessible, easily manipulated, and aesthetically pleasing. Since aids are visual, seeing examples of good and bad aids is more valuable than just reading about them. Complete the exercises at the end of the section.
This video gives tips for creating effective PowerPoint slides to accompany your presentation. These tips apply to presentation aids in general.
13.4: Unit 13 Exercises
After you finish this unit, respond to these questions. If you get any incorrect, review that material from the chapter.